Boxing

OLEKSANDR USYK has been ordered to face Daniel Dubois NEXT following the collapse of his undisputed clash with Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian, 35, looked set to take on Fury for all four world heavyweight titles before negotiations broke down last month.
Oleksandr Usyk is set to take on Daniel Dubois nextCredit: Reuters
WBA regular champion Dubois will now fight for the super title against UsykCredit: Reuters
Now Usyk is set to fulfil his mandatory obligations by taking on WBA regular champion Dubois.
The Brit, 25, has bounced back from defeat to Joe Joyce with four successive stoppage wins.
And he is now in line for a shot at unified champ Usyk – who boasts a perfect professional record of 20 wins and no defeats.
The WBA announced on Monday: “The WBA Championships Committee ordered the bout between Heavyweight Super Champion Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
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“The organization sent the communication to the parties today with a 30-day negotiation period starting on April 4 and ending on May 2 #UsykDubois.”
Fans have been left bitterly disappointed by the announcement as they fear Usyk will comfortably deal with Dubois.
Reacting on social media, one person said: “Daniel 🤷🏼‍♂️ there’s others who deserve the opportunity before he does.”
Another added: “Literally no one wants to see this.”
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And a third responded: “Dubois didn’t deserve this fight.”
Dubois was unconvincing last time out against Kevin Lerena as he was dropped three times in the first round before recovering to secure a third-round stoppage.
But the 25-year-old announced on Twitter that he is up for the challenge.
He tweeted: “Time to get what I’ve been working for my whole life.
“@usykaa you are a good champion but nobody has hit you like I will.
“See you soon. #AndTheNew.”
Usyk’s last fight saw him beat Anthony Joshua for a second successive time in Saudi Arabia in August last year.
Joshua recently claimed Usyk pulled out of negotiations with Fury after reading about The Gypsy King’s mind games in his book.
Tyson Fury’s negotiations with Usyk collapsed last monthCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed that Oleksandr Usyk quit negotiations with Tyson Fury after reading his book.Usyk was set to take on Fury later this month in arguably the biggest heavyweight bout of all time.
Joshua claims that Usyk pulled out of the fight after reading Fury’s bookCredit: Getty
Usyk and Fury were due to fight at the end of AprilCredit: Getty
He had initially agreed to all terms set by the Gypsy King – including a 70-30 purse split in “greedy” Fury’s favour – but talks broke down at the end of March.
And former heavyweight champion Joshua has hinted that Usyk called it quits after reading Fury’s book.
AJ told Boxing Social: “Usyk said he was reading Fury’s book, and he said stalling negotiations was a part of his (Fury’s) tactic.
“So when he read that he was like ‘I’m done with these negotiations’.
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“When you know someone, not only physically, obviously you’re going to fight them so you study their craft.
“But you know them mentally – why are you playing into their games?
“Usyk had these negotiations. I’m not playing into these games anymore.”
Usyk’s agent, Egis Klimas, claimed that Fury was entirely to blame for negotiations breaking down.
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In March, he said: “No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more.”
The Ukrainian is now plotting a mandatory defence of his belts for the summer. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA revealed his dream date in an interview with Laura Woods. Speaking on iFL TV after his unanimous points victory over Jermaine Franklin, Joshua conducted an interview with talkSPORT presenter Woods.
Anthony Joshua revealed his dream date during a playful interview with Laura WoodsCredit: YOU TUBE
Though Joshua joked ‘Loftus-Cheek beat me to it’Credit: Getty
It came after the Chelsea star revealed Woods was his celebrity crushCredit: Rex
And when asked about his dream date by Woods, AJ produced a playful answer.
He said: “You,” which queued laughter from AJ, people behind the camera and a cheer from Woods.
Woods then said with a smile: “This is perfect.”
AJ then quipped: “I know [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek’s beat me to it.”
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To which Woods replied: “Sorry. No it’s fine, there’s no competition.”
Chelsea star Loftus-Cheek appeared on talkSPORT last week and revealed his celebrity crush was Woods.
She joked afterwards that she would get his number later.
However, Joshua then asked whether Woods was in a relationship.
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And in response, Woods said: “I’m not in a relationship. Are you?”
“No I’m not,” AJ replied.
Woods explained she was too focused on work, with AJ revealing a similar mentality where he wanted to ensure he was not distracted in training and fighting.
The 33-year-old’s next fight is set to be in the summer, with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder among those lined up for a summer showdown. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S 2023 fight plans have been revealed by his promoter Eddie Hearn.And it should see the Watford mauler finally nail down two huge grudge matches that will make or break his career.
Eddie Hearn wants Anthony Joshua to have one rematch before fighting the BIG oneCredit: Getty
AJ outpointed Jermaine Franklin on his London homecomingCredit: Getty
AJ finally got back to winning ways on Saturday night when he easily outpointed American slugger Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena.
Thought it might only have gone some way to erasing painful memories of back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk and forfeiting all his world titles.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Hearn wants his man to have one rematch before heading into THE big one.
The 43-year-old Essex businessman said: ‘Some fights are there to be made and you get one chance to do it.
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“I think that is potentially the case with Tyson Fury. At the same time, I would still like him to have another fight with [new trainer] Derrick James to improve on what he has been working on.
“Dillian Whyte is a great fight. He needs to get back in the ring in July [or] August at the latest if he is to get three fights in this year.”
Joshua battered Whyte when they fought for the first time professionally in December 2015, brutally KO’ing his old amateur foe in the seventh round.
Since then, and despite the convincing way it ended, Whyte has chased the rematch, and was left fuming that despite BEATING Franklin himself, he was overlooked.
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Meanwhile, Fury versus Joshua has been the one the world has called for, for years.
But every time talks have collapsed, the latest being in June 2021 with both sides blaming each other.
The Gypsy King is now the one holding the marbles – namely the WBC heavyweight title.
Talks for an undisputed clash between Fury and Usyk ALSO collapsed, leaving the boxing public fuming.
But speaking in the ring after beating Franklin, AJ called on his fellow Brit to finally get it done.
AJ asked the 19,000 fans in the Docklands arena who they wanted to see him fight next.
In one loud voice, the crowd chanted “Fury”.
The 33-year-old former champ said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
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“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Tyson Fury is the fight all British boxing fans want to see Joshua takeCredit: AFP More